Monday, February 15, 2010

Colorado Springs, meet Patrick Chan

Patrick Chan might not be a familiar name around Colorado Springs, at least not yet. But that could change in the next few days.

Chan, the Canadian national figure skating champion and ranked No. 2 in the world, will join an imposing field of contenders at the Winter Olympics in the men's event, starting Tuesday night with the short program.

He's also calling Colorado Springs his home, at least for the moment.

Patrick Chan

In December, Chan decided to change his training environments, which brought him from Florida to the World Arena Ice Hall in Colorado Springs. He began working full-time with Canadian choreographer Lori Nichol as well as longtime Broadmoor Skating Club coach Christy Haigler Krall (who actually started helping Chan months earlier). Soon thereafter, it was announced that Chan would no longer be working with his previous coach, Don Laws, who helped Scott Hamilton to Olympic gold in 1984. It was an amicable parting, after Laws accepted a new position in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Chan, just 19 with more years ahead of him in the sport, retained his Canadian title in January. Nichol is serving as his main coach here in Vancouver.

Word has it that NBC is prepared to spotlight Chan and his relocation to the Springs in its coverage, especially if he's among the leaders.

Chan has had nothing but positive things to say about the World Arena, training in high altitude and working with Krall and Nichol. Krall skated in the 1964 Olympics and placed seventh.